January 26, 2017

No Muzzle for NASA Communications (Source: Space News)
A NASA official said Tuesday that the new administration has made no changes to the agency's research and communications plans. Michael Freilich, director of NASA's Earth Science Division, said at a town hall meeting at the AMS conference that he is continuing to carry out existing programs, and has not been directed to make any changes. His comments come after reports of grant programs being frozen or restrictions on public communications at other agencies, including the EPA and the Department of Agriculture. Freilich, at the town hall meeting, urged scientists in attendance to discuss their research, and its broader relevance, with the public. (1/24)

Nelson Gets NOAA Nom Commitment to Support Climate Science (Source: Mashable)
The nominee to be the next U.S. commerce secretary has said he would protect the work of climate scientists at NOAA. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) said at a Senate Commerce Committee meeting prior to voting in favor of the nomination of Wilbur Ross that he had won a written commitment from Ross to support climate research at NOAA, which falls under the Commerce Department. Nelson said that Ross has assured him he will "continue to research, monitor, and report climate information to the public." The committee voted to support the nomination, sending it to the full Senate for final confirmation. (1/24)

USAF Secretary Nominee Supports ORS (Source: Space News)
The Trump administration's nominee for Air Force secretary is a supporter of operationally responsive space. The White House announced Monday it was nominating former Rep. Heather Wilson, a New Mexico Republican and former Air Force officer, to be the next Air Force secretary. While in the House, she backed efforts to establish the Operationally Responsive Space Office at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. She also successfully fought to split the positions of undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office. (1/24)

Hidden Figures Gets Oscar Nomination (Source: Space.com)
Hidden Figures, the movie about African American women at NASA in the early space age, is an Academy Award nominee for best picture. Actress Octavia Spencer received a best supporting actress nomination for her role as programmer Dorothy Vaughan, and the movie also won a nomination for best adapted screenplay. The science-fiction film Arrival, about first contact with extraterrestrials, also received a best picture nomination. The winners will be announced Feb. 26. (1/24)

Texas Legislators Visit ULA, Discuss South Texas Space Expansion (Source: Rio Grande Guardian)
At its plant in Harlingen, ULA manufactures rocket components including parts for the Atlas V rocket. “We are going to be able to show legislators and their staff that the aerospace industry has existed here in our community for almost 30 years. We are going to be able to talk about developing the entire industry with SpaceX joining our family,” Boswell said. “I think people have a different perception of the border and we can show them that we have some pretty advanced things going on. We need to convince the visiting legislators to support these industries in Austin so we can grow them even more.” (1/24)

Scientists May Have Found the Perfect Spot for Life on Mars — Where No One Expected (Source: Business Insider)
When liquid water was first discovered on Mars, experts thought the water was too salty to sustain life. But now a new study, published on the preprint archive server biorXiv, has shown that Earth microbes can survive in extremely salty waters, which suggests that alien microbes on Mars may have survived in them. (1/24)

Chinese Rocket Engines are Inferior in Thrust (Source: Excite)
The experts point out that the thrust of Chinese rocket engines is much inferior to that of the United States and Russia, even thrusts of rocket engines in Japan and Europe are beyond China. As many as 10 engines are installed in the first stage of the Championship No. 5, only three engines are installed in the first stage of the disposable rocket "Delta 4" rocket for launching an artificial satellite in the US , And also explained that the thrust is greater than the Long Conquest No. 5.

In addition, the article argues that China felt it was difficult to overcome the problems surrounding the "thrust deficit" of the rocket engine, and decided to introduce Russian RD-180 engine and its production technology as evidence, agreed with Russia I explained it. 

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is currently developing a rocket engine called "LE-9". Although the "LE - 7A" engine is used in the first stage of the H - 2A rocket, the LE - 9 employs an engine cycle called a safer superior expander bleed cycle. Succeeding in the development of this engine will be a powerful weapon for Japan to fight superiority in world competition in space development and artificial satellite launch. (1/25)